The cost of corruption in Iraq

Some estimates suggest that government corruption could amount to $4bn a year.

Iraq is facing a second insurgency of corruptionand mismanagement [EPA]

Corruption within the Iraqi government is costing the country billions of dollars. US officials monitoring reconstruction in Iraq say the country is facing a second insurgency of corruption and mismanagement.

American auditors' records on Iraq reconstruction indicate that Iraqi government corruption could amount to $4billion a year, which is more than 10 per cent of the national income.

Critics are voicing concerns that some of the money is being channelled to fund militias and criminals. This is further exacerbated by a weak court system that is intimidated and subject to political pressure.

Inside Iraq this week looks at the implications of rampant corruption on the country's reconstruction and infrastructure projects.

How might this shape the already uncertain political future of Iraq?

Our guests this week are:

Judge Radhi Hamza Al-Radhi, the former chairman of the Anti-Corruption Authority in Iraq, Dr Mouafak Al-Samaraei, an Iraqi researcher and political analyst, and Maysoon Al-Damalougi, a member of the Iraqi National Assembly parliament.